Strand-working mechanism



June 24, 1930.

R. MGFARLAND STRAND WORKING MECHANISM June 24, 1930.

R. E. MCFARLAND STRAND WORKING MECHANISM` Filed Aug. 9, 1924 :5she@ns-Sheet` 2 hNN Y June 24, 1930. R. E. MCFARLAND STRAND-WORKINGMECHANSM Filed Aug. 9, 1924 Cri Patented .lune Zei, 193() ROBERT ERNESTMCFARLAND, F CIC'ELZO, .LLING ASSIGHGR 10 WESTERN vZELFSG'EIBC COMPANY,INCORFQRATED, OF :NEVI YORK, N. Y.: A CGRBRTEDT IEW TIGRE/ISTRAND-WORKING MIECHANISLI Application filed August 9, 1924:. Serial No.731,199.

rllhis invention relates to strand working mechanisms, and moreparticularly to a machine for treating strands. l

rlhe primary object oi` this invention is to provide an improvedapparatus tor uniformly treating a strand or cable.

Other objects and advantages oi the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a cable paintingmachine wherein the cable is passed from a supply reel through a paintbath, then through a wiping` mechanism which removes all excess painttherefrom, thereby insuring` a smooth and even coating while at the sametime expediting drying thereof. Means is provided for maintaining thecable in a substantially straight line as it is passed through the paintbath and wiping mechanism thereby avoiding any injury to the cable dueto bending or twisting thereof while being treated. Common means isprovided for controlling the operation ot the wiping mechanism and themovement or" theecable therethrough whereby the wiping mechanism isrendered ineffective when the movement of the cable is discontinued.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment ot theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a vertical section et a cable painting machine embody ing theJfeatures ot the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view partly in section app roximately on the line 2-2of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 of Fig. 1; l

Fig; lis a fragmentary detail view oi the supply reel brake;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view et the air wiping mechanism; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail view of the air blast control mechanism.

As shown in the drawings, the machine is preferably built with two units10 and 11 positioned back to bach with a paint container and a maindriving means common to both units, and in the iollowing description itwill suiiice if the construction and operation of one unit is described.A base or supporting member common to both units is indicated at 12 andsuitably carried thereon,

and positioned at one end of the. machine subsidiary paint container 1Gwhich is hori- Zontally disposed near the top of the machine and whichis provided with a hinged cover 17 which may be opened to asubstantially vertical position against suitable stops 18 as vindicatedin 2. v

A main driving shaft 20, extending vfrom the motor 1,3, is journalefl inbearings 21,

22 and 23 ol a housing or gear box 2d which is supported upon the base12. Keyed to the main shaft 20, and near the extreme end thereof, vis apinion 25 which meshes with a gear 26 (Fig. 3) keyedto a pump shaft 27,thereby providing means for driving` a rotary pump 30 which is supportedon a raised portion 31 ci the base member 12. The fu ction of the pump30 is to facilitate illing the main tank l5 with paint from a hav-:relVory other source or" supply through a iiexible piping indicated at Thepump 30 also serves to pump the paint trom a tank lato the subsidiarytanks 16 through f; able piping indicated at A plui drain pipes 28, theopenings in which are controlled by valves 29, provide means torPositioned at the op-v maintaining the paint level in the tank 1G Theoperation ot the, pump 30 is of the supply reel is provided with aplumixing member 36 is connected to a horizontal shaft 38 by aconnecting rod 39 and is driven from the pump shaft 27 by a pinion 40meshing With a gear 41 keyed to the shaft 38, as clearly shown in Fig.3. To facilitate thorough cleaning of the tank 15, the mixing member 36may be removed through an opening 42 in one end of the tank. A einovablecover 43 lits over the opening 42 and is tightly secured to the tank 15by a plurality of bolts 44. The tank 15 may be emptied by the removal ofa plug 45 positioned in the bottom thereof.

Brackets 46 are secured to the support 31, one at either side of thepump 3() and rigidly supported in each bracket is a spindle 47 uponwhich a supply reel 50 is revolvably mounted. A brake drum 49 isrevolvably mounted on the spindle 47 and is held in position against thebracket 46. A head 51 ra-lity of apertures 52, either one of which isadapted to be engaged by a pin 53 rigidly secured to the drum 497 whichis thereby driven by the supply reel 50. To prevent the supply reel fromsliding olf during the operation of the machine, the spindle 47 isprovided with a circular groove v54 near. its end adapted to hold aspring locking pin 55.

A tension arm 56 (as best shown in 4) is pivoted at 57 to the bracket 46and carries a guide roller 59 Which is positioned to engage the cable 69as it leaves the supply reel 59. A cam 61 is also pivoted at 57 and isrigidly secured to the arm Pivoted a t 62 and positioned to engage theperipheral surface of the brake d'um 49 is a suitably lined brake shoe68. The cam 61 engages the brake shoe 68 and operates to vary thebraking effect thereon in response to variations in the tension of thecable as it leaves the supply reel and passes over the guide roller 59.A spring 64 serves to normally hold the brake shoe 63 against the drum Aguide roller 65 is revolvably carried in a bracket 66 which is rigidlysecured to the tank 15 by bolts 67. One end of a guard 68 isfastened tothe bracket 66 Yand its other endV is secured to the floor ay a bracket69. The purpose of the guard 68 is to prevent the cable from entanglingor touching the floor as it is pulled from the supply reel over theguide rollers 59 and 65. A housi l or guard 70 fit-s over the guideroller 65 and is suitably secured to the bracket .'66 and the tank 15.

The tank 16 is provided Withy openings or slots 71 at the front and rearends through which the cable is passed. Vrl"he slot 71 ef;- tends toapproximately the center of the tank 16 and its bottom is in alignmentwith the top of the guide roller 65. lt is therefore apparent that *l ecable maintained in a substantially straight line 'as it is passed ie,the cable passes paint removing device 7 L 'J Y hich is connected, witha compresser air line 76 controlled by a valve 77. The device ro issupported in a housing` 78 secured to the tank 16. rlhe construction andoperation of the surplus paint removing` device is fully disclosed inNef 17.326,071, issued to l?. Kochendorfer and lvl. d. Boe, February 10.19257 since it forms no part of this invention, it is thought that afurther detailed description thereof is unnecessary. Upon leaving thesurplus paintreinoviuo device 75, the cable passes through an auxiliarysurplus paint remover 8O which is also supported in the housingv 7S andcoinprises a clamping device adapted to clamp burlal 61 'or othersuitable material around the cable as it is passed therethrough.

A guide roller S2 is revolvably mounted in a bracket 823 to or form apart of the housing 78. The minted cable is passed over the guide roller62 to a takeup rcel 85 upon vlfhich it is evenly distributed by suitablemech dicated at 109, The ta hup r mounted on a spindle 86 extending studshaft 87 `which is supported in bea ingr S8 and 89 formed in the`Vhousing 24. An annular member 99 is key-ed to the shaft 8 and its outersurface is provided with I, 91 which is adapted to engage either one ofa plurality ofy apertures in the takeeup :1.a reel head 98, therebymaking the takeeup reel rotatable with the shaft 97. The drivinginen'iber 94 of a clutch is rotatably mounted on the shaft 67 and keyedto the clutch members both units the machine is a sleeve 96. A Worm gear97 is keyed to the sleeve 96 and meshesv with a Worm 98 keyed to themain driving shaft 29. From the above description it isiapparent thatthe driving member 94 ofthe clutch 95 is driven directly from the mainshaft 20.

The driven men keyed to the shaft 87 and is longitudinally slidablethereon. Secured to the clutch member 99 i1 movable member 101 an :i py.i?. rlllwi lfywo t [l l. I )lh Ln 4L A? vx/l end or a verticallydisposed arm 119 is keyed which may be rigidly secured Vr 99 of theclutch 95 is io the shaft 10G and its upper end is pivoted at 111 to ahorizontal bar 112, Which slidably supported in the housing 2/1. Ahandle 113 is provided at the outside end of the bar 112 by Which itslid back or forth so as to operate the clutch 95. One end of a link11A-'iis pivoted at 115 to the arm 112 and its opposite end isoperatively connected to a valve 11G in the compressed air line T6. Fromthe construction above described it is apparent that the throwing in orout of the clutch to start or stop the n'iovcment ci the cable throughthe machine automatically opens or closes the passage for air to thesurplus paint removing device T5, the bar 112 serving to perform bothfunctions simultaneously.

A stud shaft 120 is journaled in a bearing 21 and has keyed thereto agear 122 Which meshes vwith a pinion 123 keyed to the shaft 8. ltigidlysecured to or forming a part of the gear 122 is a cam 121 either' sideof Which engages a roller 125 mounted in laterally extending arms 126 ora vertically disposed lever 127. The lower end of the` lever 127 extendsa suitable distance below the arms 126 and is pivoted at 128 to thehousing 2li. The lever 127 extends upwardly to approximately the top ofthe housing 2e and its upper end is pivoted at 129 to a horizontal bar130. The bar 130 is slidably supported in the housing` 2-1 and carriesat each end a distributing mechanism which is oi a well .known type andcomprises a pair of spaced rollers 132 suitably supi'iorted in a bracket1533. llfhen the machine is in operation the cam 124-. causes the lever127 to reciprocate in a well known manner, which motion is transmittedthrough the bar 130 to the distributing mechanism 100 so as to evenlydistribute the painted cable upon the takeup reel 85.

The tanks 16 are provided with openings in the top whereby the gasescaused by the continuous stirring and mixing of the paint are permittedto escape through an exhaust pipe 135. An exhaust hood 136 providesmeans for the escape of gases originating Within and about the operatingparts of the machine and also serves as a safety guard for the operator.

rlhe operation of the apparatus above described is as follows: rlhecable 60 from the supply reel 50 is threaded over the guide rollers 59and 65, through the paint container 16 wherein it is passed under theguide roller 72. then through the wiping mechanisn'is 75 and 80, afterwhich it is passed over the guide roller d2, through the distributingmechanism 1GO, and around the take-up reel 85 to which it is suitablyattached. rlhe starting oi the motor 13 causes the main driving shaft 20totransmit motion to the pump 30 through the gearing above described.The valve 34, which controls the passage of paint 'from an outsidesupply ce H i-A source into the ltank 15, is opened and paint is pumpedinto the tank 15 to a level indicated by the dotted line A. in Fig. 1.During this time the valve is positioned so as to close connnunieationbetween the tank 15 and the tank 1:3 causing the paint Which is beingpumped through the pipe 33 to return to the tank 15 by way of a returnpipe 19. Upon the tank 15 being lilled with paint to the level indicatedby the dotted line A in 1, the valve 341 is closed and the valve 35opened thus permitting circulation 01"' the paint from the tar-.x 15 tothe tank 16. The paint in the tank 16 is maintained at a substantiallyconstant level indicated by vthe dotted line ll in Fig. 1. rlhis isaccomplished by properly regulating the adjustable valve 29 in thereturn pipes 28. The mixing` member is the main shaft 2O through thegearing above described thereby maintaining the paint properly mixedduring the operation of the machine. Through suitable gearing describedabove the distributing member 100 and also the dri Jing member 951- ofthe clutch 95 are constantly driven fromv the main shaft 20. The take-upreel 85 is set into motion by pulling the bar 112 outwardly causing thedriven member orp the clutch 95 to engage the driving member thereof.Through the mechanism above described, the outward. movement of the bar112 also causes the valve 11G in the compressed air line 76 to open,thereby permitting the passage of air into the surplus paint remover 75.To stop the take-up reel 85, the clutch is diseno'age il by pushing thebar 112 inwardly, which action also operates the brake 102 to hasten thestopping of' the reel. By pushing the inwai llj, the valve is closed,thereby s-.iutting oli the supply et air into the surplus paint vremover75.

From the above description it is apparent that starting or stoppingmovement of the strand through the machine operates to open or close thesupply of air into the surplus paint remover 7 What is claimed is: 1. lna strand treating machine, a supply spool, a take-up spool, a receptacleconaining a treating bath, means for driving take-u spool to pass thestrand through he treating bath, a. wiping mechanism including means fordirecting a blast ot air against the peripheral surface of the treatedstrand, and common means for controlling said wiping mechanism and saiddriving means.

2. 1n a strand treating machine, a receptacle containing a tree bath,means 'lor advancing a strand theret rough, a 'Wiping rechanismincluding means ifor directing a blast of air ag the peripheral su "Cree of th re constantly driven from .ecu strand, a valve Vtorcoinrolling said air blast, a clutch mechaiol) nism inelnding e lnnnllever for controlling the strzmd advancing means, and an erm ormrntivelyconnected to seid hand lever for Controlling the nir valve.

23. ln :L strand Working machine, u. receptacle containing e treatingbeth, means for erlveneing the strand through the treating bath, mee-nsfor directing e blast ot air against the peripheral surface ot thestrand, common means for Controlling the nir blast and the strandadvancing means, and ineens for maintaining the strand in esubstantielluv straight line While being treated.

4;. ln a strand Working machine, a recept-fiele containing e treatingbeth, ineens for advancing the strand through the treating beth, meansfor directing e blast of air against the peripheral surface of thestrand, and oommon'meens for Controlling zu the air blast and the strandadvaneing ineens.

5. In at strand Working meehine, e reeptaele containing e treating beth,means for advancing the strand through seid trenting beth, means fordirecting n blast of air against the ipieripherel surface of the strandupon leaving the beth whereby the surplus treating materielis removedtherefrom, and

Common ineens for Controlling the air blast and the movement of thestrand whereby the nir blst Yis elleetive only when the strand is inmotion.

(3. ln n strand Working machine, e wiping mechanism including ineens fordirecting e blast of nir against the peripheral surinee of e strandmeans for ztflveneing the strand through the wiping meel enism7 endeemmon means for Controlling the operation ot the niping mechanism undthe movement of the strand whereb5T the nir blast is discontinued upondiscontinuing the movement el the strand.

'i' In zt strand Working machine7 a rel Eele Containing e treating bath,the receptziele being provided With apertures in the eine Walls thereofbelow` the normal level of the treating beth, means for etlveneing thestrand through the apertures7 ineens 'for Continuously replenishing the50 treating beth te maintain the level thereof arbo-ve the apertures inthe receptacle, en' nir Wiper for removing excess amounts ol thetreating materiel from the strand as it leaves the treating beth7 undcommon 55 means for Controlling tbe operation of the nir Wiper end themovement of the strand. In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my nemethis 50th day olE July, A. D 1924-..

RQBER ERNES llollAlllAND.

